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Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Sports Agent Scandal Strikes 'Bama

The University of Alabama has confirmed the school compliance staff is currently investigating Tide defensive end Marcell Dareus.

The investigation is centered around a party Dareus attended this summer in South Beach/Miami. The event was held by a sports agent and included several players who are currently active in collegiate football.

During the month of July the NCAA has made it a priority to crackdown on agent-related matters concerning college athletes.

Several schools are currently being investigated, with the most prominent being North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida.

The Dareus situation came to light after North Carolina defensive lineman Marvin Austin became a person of interest in the North Carolina investigation.

Austin is known to be friends with Dareus and has been interviewed by the NCAA concerning the party in South Beach.

It is worth noting that Dareus' mother, Michelle Luckey, passed away on May 18 and the trip took place not long after her passing.

At the present time it would appear the situation with Marcell Dareus would not be considered an institutional matter in the eyes of the NCAA, but rather an individual matter.

The party in question took place earlier this summer, as mentioned above, and unless Dareus dealt with an agent prior to the Miami gathering, the matter will be an individual case, not a “team/school” related matter in the eyes of the NCAA.

Simply stated, if possible agent bustle took place after the BCS title game, chances of an NCAA institutional quandary are very small.

However, from an individual standpoint, if Dareus attended the Miami party and was contacted by an agent who paid for the trip and/or other lavishes, Dareus himself could face eligibility questions for the 2010 season.

The situation with Dareus and Alabama is obviously an ongoing matter. I will have more on this story in the coming days and weeks.